Scalp-treating device



Dec. 28, 1937. M. E. KOEHLER SCALP TREATI NQ DEVICE Filed Feb. 15, 1957Patented Dec. 28, 1937 2,103,949 ,SGALP-TREATING DEVICE Maxemilian E.Koehler, Washington, D. Application February 13, 1937, Serial No.125,629

1 Claim.

This invention is directed to an improved scalptreating device designedmore particularly for manual operation and serving when in use to effecta massaging and cupping influence on the scalp to increase the fiow ofblood to stimulate the hair follicles which have become dormant.

The primary object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter designed for manual operation for the production of the vacuumnecessary tothe cupping effect and for the direct massaging effect, witha view to providing a. device which may be used as a valuable accessoryby the barber or hair treating specialist and which is also designed forand capable of completely effective use by the individual himself whosehair is being treated.

A further object of the invention is the inclusion in a device of thecharacter described of an elastic element which .forms the soleconnection with the head of the patient, and which in itself is readilyseparable from the device proper to permit the use of a thoroughlycleansed and sterilized elastic implement for each person where thedevice is used in a more or less public way.

A further object of the invention is the provision, in a device of thischaracter, of means for creating the vacuum above the head. of thepatient for the cupping operation, solely through the degree of manualmanipulation by the operator, whereby each patient may be treated inaccordance with his individual needs and overdilation of the bloodvessels prevented.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a device of thischaracter effectively useable for the heads of all patients, regardlessof the size of their heads, without necessitating any adjustment, and inwhich there are practically no relatively movable parts, and wherein thedevice as a. whole is of such a simple character as to be readily andeconomically manufactured.

The invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure l is a perspective view of the improved device.

Figure 2 is a vertical section illustrating the same in appliedposition.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the device shown from beneath.

Figure 4 is a bottom plan, partly broken out.

Figure 5 is a sectional detail showing a modified form of massagedevice.

The improved construction comprises a helmet I, fully open on the lowerside and preferably fiat on the top, as at 2. The helmet may beconstructed of light, thin metal, though obviously any materialsufiiciently rigid to prevent collapse under the produced vacuum may beused. The helmet may be round in plan or shaped to conform to thegeneral shape of the head, and is preferably'of such size as to readilyreceive heads of larger size usually encountered. It is to be understoodin this connection that the helmet is not designed to snugly or evenremotely fit the head, so that the shape of the helmet is not in any wayto be determined or limited by the shape of the head.

Centrally or at other appropriate point in the top 2 is formed an outletvent 3, controlled by anyconventional valve i, arranged to permit theescape of air from within the helmet and prevent the entrance of airinto the helmet. The open lower end of the helmet is formedwith beads 5and a flexible sealing apron '6 is designed for removable connectionwith the helmet. This sealing apron comprises an annular section ofelastiomaterial, preferably sheet rubber, as l, the diameter of theupper end of which is such as to permit the upper end to be passed overthe open end of the helmet and to be secured by a flexible band 8engaging the helmet between the heads 5.

The lower opening 9 in the sealing apron is of materially reduceddiameter, with a marginal length less than that of the smallest headlikely to be encountered. The edge of the lower opening is reinforced bya band of relatively soft material ill within Which may be secured anelastic ring H. Arranged within the helmet and secured against the innersurface of the top thereof are sections 12 from which depend elongatedsemi-rigid massaging fingers It. Both the sec-' tions it and the fingersit may be integrally constructed of rubber, as is more or lessconventionally known in massaging implements. The helmet is providedwith handles M preferably arranged in diametrically opposed relation andthrough which the device is manipulated.

The device is applied to the head of a patient by fitting the loweropening of the sealing apron over the head below the hair line to thusseal the interior of the helmet against the admission of air at this.point. In this connection it is to be understood that the elastic gripof the margin is such as to practically seal the juncture between theapron and head without causing any undue compression which might in someinstances tend to a congestion of the blood vessels above this point.When so applied, the operator, either the individual on whose head thedevice is applied or another, grasps the handles I4 and by an up-anddownmovement of the helmet produces a rarefaction of the air Within thehelmet and a consequent cupping action on the scalp, with the eifect todilate the minute capillaries and other blood vessels directlyunderlying the scalp and thus stimulate the hair follicles. During this7 operation, or subsequent to the production of a free for any and allpossible movements necessary to an effective massaging of the scalpwhile maintaining practically any desired cupping action within therange of the device. The helmet may be operated in all directions withlight, heavy or intermediate pressure, and thus provide practically anydegree of cupping or any degree of massaging which the knowledge of theexpert 'user may find necessary or desirable in the particular instance.

The helmet as a whole is comparatively light and the patient is entirelyfree to move about with the helmet in position where it is desired tomaintain a. cupping influence on the scalp for a considerable period.The sealing apron is readily and conveniently, removable from the helmetproper so that where the device is in public use, as for example in abarber shop or hair treating establishment, the apron used in oneinstance may be removed for cleaning and sterilizing and a fresh apronapplied for another use. With the apron removed, the full interior ofthe helmet is exposed and may be readily and conveniently cleansed andsterilized after each use.

7 The helmet proper has no relatively movable parts other than possiblythe valve and it is to be particularly noted that there are noprojections beyond the helmet in any way necessary to carry out itsfunction. Thus, the device as a .whole cannot get out of order and isobviously of extremely simple, economic manufacture.

In Figure 5 there is shown a slightly modified form of massage device inwhich the helmet, here indicated at I5, is supplied with suction cups l6removably connected in place and, of course, provided in any desirednumber, such suction cups obviously serving a purpose similar to that ofthe massaging fingers I3 previously referred to.

What is claimed to be new is:

A scalp-treating device including a, helmet in the form of a hollowrigid metallic body fully open at the bottom, handles projecting fromthe body, the interior dimensions of the helmet being materially greaterthan the similar dimensions of the head of a person with which thehelmet is to be used, whereby to permit free manipulation of the helmetin all directions relative to the head of the person withoutcontact'with the head, the

upper end of the helmet being formed with an air vent, a valvecontrolling the air Vent to permit direct exit from and prevent entranceof airinto the helmet, a flexible elastic apron having an upper edge inremovable sealing cooperation with the lower free edge of the helmet andthe lower edge formed for sealing cooperation with the head of theperson to which the helmet has been applied, the length of theapron fromthe edge engaging the helmet'to the edge engaging the head of the personbeing of such length as to permit 'manual manipulation of the helmet inall directions without disturbing the sealing cooperation of the helmetand head, and massage elements secured to the inner surface of thehelmet and capable of being brought into contact with the head of theperson by manipulation of the helmet by means of the handles to providea

